It should be simple. You want a comfortable bed, you pick one, you sleep better. But between the endless options, the shiny marketing, and every second website claiming to offer the best mattress New Zealand has ever seen, it gets complicated fast.
There’s foam, springs, hybrids, toppers, and more jargon than anyone asked for. And because you’re meant to keep your mattress for years, getting it wrong isn’t just annoying, it can have a detrimental effect on your sleep and your back.
The good news? Most of the common mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what to look out for. Whether you're eyeing up a foam mattress, a pocket spring mattress, or just trying to decode what makes a bed in a box actually good, we’ve got you covered.
You’re Not Actually Buying What You Need
A lot of people start mattress shopping by looking for the best option. The best firmness. The best materials. The best mattress in a box. But the right choice isn’t about what sounds impressive. It’s about what works for your sleep.
Different sleeping positions need different types of support. Side sleepers usually benefit from more cushioning around the shoulders and hips. Back and stomach sleepers often need something firmer to keep their spine aligned. Body weight, sleep temperature, and whether or not you share the bed all play a part, too.
The materials in a mattress shape how it feels over time. A foam mattress contours to your body and helps reduce motion transfer. A pocket spring mattress provides more structure and airflow, which can be helpful if you sleep hot or like a slightly firmer surface. Hybrid designs combine both for a more balanced feel.
At teddy, we offer all of these options in a range of firmness levels. Whether you’re looking for something soft, firm or somewhere in between, the goal is always the same. We help you find what suits your body and your sleep, not just what looks good on paper.
You’re Letting the Price Tag Make the Decision
It's easy to assume a more expensive mattress must be better. Equally easy to assume that a lower-cost option means you’re settling. Neither is quite right.
Mattress pricing can be misleading. High-end price tags don’t always reflect higher quality; sometimes, they reflect retail markups, fancy branding, or showroom overheads. And while there are definitely cheap mattresses that cut corners, there are also well-made, fairly priced ones that arrive at your door in a tidy box and last just as long.
That’s where the bed-in-a-box model has changed the game. By skipping the middlemen, online mattress-in-a-box companies like us can focus on materials and performance without inflating the price. We use premium mattress foam, advanced spring systems, and design everything for long-term comfort, just without any of the showroom appeal.
So don’t just shop by number. Look at what’s actually inside. Are the materials durable? Is it properly constructed? Will it support you over time? At the end of the day, value isn’t just about cost. It’s about what you’re getting for it.
You’re Not Thinking Long Term
A mattress is not something you replace often. A good one should last for years, sometimes close to a decade. That is why buying based only on how you sleep right now can lead to problems later.
If your current mattress feels too soft and you wake up stiff, choosing another soft one just because it is new probably won’t solve the issue. The same applies if you’re sleeping hot. A dense, heat-retaining mattress is unlikely to become more breathable over time.
Before you buy, ask yourself whether the mattress will still work for you in a few years. Will it keep its shape? Will it support you if your sleep habits change? A good night’s sleep should last more than just the first few months.
You’re Only Thinking About the Mattress
A mattress makes a big difference, but it is not the only factor that affects how well you sleep. The rest of your sleep setup plays a supporting role, and if something is off, even a great mattress can feel like it is underperforming.
Start with what you are sleeping on top of. The wrong pillow can throw your neck out of alignment, and a tired topper might be masking what the mattress is actually doing underneath. At teddy, we offer breathable pillows and pressure-relieving toppers designed to work with our mattresses, but they are also great for refreshing an existing setup if a new mattress is not on the cards just yet.
Your bed base also matters. A sagging frame or uneven slats can change how a mattress feels and shorten its lifespan. Check the condition and compatibility before you upgrade your mattress, especially if you are switching from one material type to another.
Then there’s the room itself. Noise, temperature, light, and airflow all influence how well you sleep. You shouldn’t be overhauling your entire space to accommodate a new bed, but it’s worth paying attention to the details. A cooler room, blackout curtains, and a good wind-down routine can do more than people think.
Get It Right the First Time
There’s a lot to consider when buying a mattress, but most of it comes down to knowing what works for your body and how you actually sleep. It’s easy to get caught up in labels or trends, but the best choice is usually the one that quietly does its job night after night.
No mattress can do everything on its own, and the rest of your setup plays a part. But starting with something well-made, properly supported, and suited to your needs makes a real difference over time.
If you’re not sure what that looks like for you, reach out to our team for expert advice. We’re here to help you get it right.